Method of handling large protocol layers for configurable extraction of layer information and an apparatus thereof

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the apparatus for handling large protocol layers relate to an implementation that optimizes a field selection circuit. This implementation provides software like flexibility to a hardware parser engine in parsing packets. The implementation limits a size of each layer and splits any layer that exceeds that size into smaller layers. The parser engine extracts data from the split layers just as it would from a non-split layer and, then, concatenates the extracted data in a final result.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to network packets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of handling large protocol layers for configurable extraction of layer information and an apparatus thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A network packet includes multiple traffic or protocol layers, where each layer is independent of other layers. While traditional hardware implementations provide parsing abilities, the traditional hardware implementations are inflexible and resource inefficient. A limitation of such inflexibility and inefficiency is the maximum length of the individual layers. This limitation is dictated by a field selection circuit that must be built in hardware. The logic that goes into the hardware is directly proportional to the maximum layer length. For example, to extract “T” total bytes in a programmable way from a layer, where the layer can be of size “L” bytes, the total number of byte MUXes required for that layer is T*(L:1) MUXes. Thus, the bigger “L” is, the bigger the size of the field selection circuit is, which increases hardware costs. If a parser engine is able to handle multiple layers in a packet, then the overall MUX structure cost is the size of the field selection circuit multiplied by the number of layers the parser engine supports.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the apparatus for handling large protocol layers relate to an implementation that optimizes a field selection circuit. This implementation provides software like flexibility to a hardware parser engine in parsing packets. The implementation limits a size of each layer and splits any layer that exceeds that size into smaller layers. The parser engine extracts data from the split layers just as it would from a non-split layer and, then, concatenates the extracted data in a final result.

In one aspect, a method of implementing a parser engine is provided. The method includes splitting layers of a packet based on protocol layers such that each of the protocol layers of the packet is separated. In some embodiments, splitting layers of a packet includes storing layer type of each protocol layer of the packet in a first array and storing an offset of where each protocol layer of the packet ends is stored in a second array.

The method includes further splitting each of the protocol layers of the packet that has a size greater than a predetermined size into a plurality of layers. The first array and the second array are updated based on the further split. In some embodiments, the predetermined size is software defined.

The method includes processing all of the split layers. In some embodiments, processing all split layers include generalizing each of the split layers to a generic format and selecting contents from each of the generalized split layers. In some embodiments, selecting contents from each of the generalized split layers includes applying at least one from a set of generic commands to the generalized split layer to thereby extract a field from the generalized split layer. In some embodiments, each within the set of generic commands is agnostic of specific fields within protocol layers.

In some embodiments, the method includes concatenating results from the processing are concatenated to form a token, wherein the token is used for further processing of the packet.

In some embodiments, the method includes applying a bit vector to results from the processing to form an input to a hash function, wherein an output of the hash function is a unique signature that identifies which of equal-cost multi-path routes the packet should take.

In another aspect, a method of implementing a parser engine is provided. The method includes splitting layers of a packet based on protocol layers such that each of the protocol layers of the packet is separated.

The method also includes maintaining information regarding a layer type of each of the protocol layers and an offset of where each of the protocol layers ends. In some embodiments, the information regarding the layer type is stored in a first array, and the information regarding the offsets is stored in a second array.

The method also includes further splitting any of the protocol layers of the packet that has a size greater than a predetermined size into a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is of the predetermined size. The predetermined size is software defined.

The method also includes updating the information based on the further split. In some embodiments, updating the information includes storing information regarding layer types of the first part and the second part in sequential elements of the first array, and storing information regarding offsets of the first part and the second part in sequential elements of the second array.

The method also includes, based on a determination that the second part has a size greater than the predetermine size, repeating the further splitting step and the updating step with the second part.

The method also includes processing all of the split layers. In some embodiments, prior to processing, generalizing each of the split layers to a generic format. In some embodiments, processing the split layers includes extracting data from the generalized layers.

In yet another aspect, a method of implementing a network switch is provided. The method includes parsing a packet based on protocol layers, thereby initializing a first array and a second array. In some embodiments, parsing a packet includes identifying a layer type of each layer in the packet, storing the layer type of each layer in the first array, identifying an offset of where each layer ends in the packet is, and storing the offset of where each layer ends in the second array. In some embodiments, the method includes storing the first array and the second array in the memory of the network switch.

The method also includes comparing each element of the first array with a programmable register to determine whether a layer associated with the element needs to be split. In some embodiments, the programmable register includes a layerType field, which indicates which a corresponding entry matches, a splitLength field, which indicates an offset at which a corresponding layer should be split at, and a newLayerType field, which indicates a layer type value of the new split layer. In some embodiments, prior to parsing a packet, the method includes programming the layerType field, the splitLength field and the newLayerType field via software.

The method also includes, based on the determination that the layer associated with the element needs to be split, splitting the layer.

The method also includes updating the first array and the second array according to the split, and extracting data from a layer associated with each element of the first array.

In some embodiments, the method includes joining the extracted data to thereby form a final result. In some embodiments, applying a bit vector to results from logical AND operations, wherein each of the logical AND operations is applied on a bit mask and the extracted data from a layer.

In yet another aspect, a parser engine is provided. The parser engine includes a circuit configured to split layers of a packet based on protocol layers such that each of the protocol layers of the packet is separated, further split each of the protocol layers of the packet that has a size greater than a predetermined size into a plurality of layers, and process all of the split layers.

In some embodiments, information regarding a layer type of each of the protocol layers and an offset of where each of the protocol layers ends is maintained. The information is updated after further splitting each of the protocol layers of the packet that has a size greater than a predetermined size into a plurality of layers.

In some embodiments, the circuit is also configured to concatenate results from the processing to form a token, wherein the token is used for further processing of the packet.

In some embodiments, the circuit is also configured to apply a bit vector to results from the processing to form an input to a hash function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a method of a parser engine in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates another method of a parser engine in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of a network switch in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous details are set forth for purposes of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the invention can be practiced without the use of these specific details. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.

Embodiments of the apparatus for handling large protocol layers relate to an implementation that optimizes a field selection circuit. This implementation provides software like flexibility to a hardware parser engine in parsing packets. The implementation limits a size of each layer and splits any layer that exceeds that size into smaller layers. The parser engine extracts data from the split layers just as it would from a non-split layer and, then, concatenates the extracted data in a final result.

A network device, such as a network switch, is able to switch/route network traffic. The network switch includes at least one input/incoming port and at least one output/outgoing port for receiving and transmitting packets. In some embodiments, the network switch also includes a parser and a rewriter. The parser can include one or more parser engines to identify contents of network packets, and the rewriter can include one or more rewrite engines to modify packets before they are transmitted out from the network switch. The parser engine(s) and the rewrite engine(s) are flexible and operate on a programmable basis.

The network switch also includes memory to store data used by the network switch. For example, the memory stores at least two arrays used in the implementation to keep track of the split layers. For another example, the memory stores a set of generic commands to extract fields from protocol headers. For yet another example, the memory also stores counters and statistics.

In Ethernet, packets include multiple protocol layers. Each protocol layer carries different information. Some examples of well known layers are:

-   -   Ethernet     -   PBB Ethernet     -   ARP     -   IPV4     -   IPV6     -   MPLS     -   FCOE     -   TCP     -   UDP     -   ICMP     -   IGMP     -   GRE     -   ICMPv6     -   VxLAN     -   TRILL     -   CNM         Theoretically, the protocol layers can occur in any order.         However, only some well-known combinations of these layers         occur. Some examples of valid combinations of these layers are:     -   Ethernet     -   Ethernet, ARP     -   Ethernet, CNM     -   Ethernet, FCoE     -   Ethernet, IPV4     -   Ethernet, IPV4, ICMP     -   Ethernet, IPV4, IGMP

For packet parsing operations, a packet is broken into layers. This split is done based on well-known layers such as those listed above. As explained above, in traditional hardware implementations, to extract “T” total bytes in a programmable way from a layer, where the layer can be of size “L” bytes, the total number of byte MUXes required for that layer is T*(L:1) MUXes. Thus, the bigger “L” is, the bigger the size of a field selection circuit, which increases hardware costs.

The current implementation optimizes a field selection circuit of the parser engine. The current implementation relies on an assumption regarding byte processing order. Typically, the order of bytes output by the parser engine matches the order in which the bytes appear in an incoming layer. For example, if byte 1, byte 3 and byte 5 are to be selected, then the order in which the bytes appear is 1, 3 and 5 and is not 3, 1 and 5 or 5, 3 and 1 or any other such combination. Based on this assumption, the total number of MUXes required is no longer T*(L:1) but, rather, is (L:1)+(L−1:1)+(L−2:1)+(L−3:1)+ . . . +(T:1), assuming T<L.

Since the cost of the hardware is proportional to the length of the layer “L”, the current implementation limits the size of “L” that will be supported and splits any layer that exceeds the length “L” into N smaller layers. The information from the N split layers is extracted just as the parser engine would have from a single layer and then concatenated back in a final result. Extracted data can be used to either form a token or a hash input. Exemplary data extraction from packets is discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ [Attorney Docket XPL-02100], entitled “A Method of Extracting Data from Packets and An Apparatus thereof,” filed [date], and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ [Attorney Docket XPL-02200], entitled “A Method of Forming a Hash Input from Packet Contents and An Apparatus thereof,” filed [date], which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The current implementation advantageously achieves the same functionality at a reduced hardware cost. The sequence of the current implementation can be summarized as:

-   (1) Parse an incoming packet and identify a layer type for each     layer along with an offset of where each layer ends. This     information is stored in two arrays, namely layerType[ ] and     layerEndPtr[ ]. -   (2) At an end of parsing, compare each layerType[ ] with a     programmable register(s). The programmable register(s) contains the     following fields:     -   layerType: indicates a layer type for which the corresponding         entry matches;     -   splitLength: indicates an offset at which this layer should be         split at; and     -   newLayerType: indicates a layer type value of the new split         layer

An exemplary pseudo-code for this comparison is shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 for (layer=0; layer < MAX_LAYERS; layer++)   for (index=0; index < MAX_ENTRIES; index++)     if ( layerType[layer] == progEntry[index] .layerType ) {       // change the end position of this layer       layerEndPtr[layer] = layerEndPtr[layer] −       progEntry[index] .splitLength;       // shift the existing layers information down by 1       for (shift=MAX_LAYERS; shift >= layer+2; shift−−) {         layerType[shift] = layerType[shift−1];         layerEndPtr[shift] = layerEndPtr[shift−1];       }       // add the new layer       layerType[index+1] = progEntry[index] .newLayerType;       layerEndPtr[index+1] = layerEndPtr[index] + progEntry[index+1].splitLength;     } }

The parser engine is a highly configurable hardware parser engine that provides software like flexibility in how network traffic is parsed. FIG. 1 illustrates a method 100 of the parser engine in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The parser engine is part of the network switch and identifies contents of network packets. At a step 105, layers of a packet are split based on protocol layers such that each of the protocol layers of the packet is separated. A layer type of each protocol layer of the packet is stored in a first array, namely layerType[ ]. An offset of where each protocol layer of the packet ends is stored in a second array, namely layerEndPtr[ ].

At a step 110, each of the protocol layers of the packet that has a size greater than a predetermined size is further split into a plurality of layers. The first array and the second array based on the further split. The predetermined size is software defined.

At a step 115, all of the split layers are processed. In some embodiments, each of the split layers is generalized to a generic format. Contents are selected from each of the generalized split layers. In some embodiments, at least one from a set of generic commands is applied to the generalized split layer to thereby extract a field from the generalized split layer. In some embodiments, each within the set of generic commands is agnostic of specific fields within protocol layers. In some embodiments, results from the processing are concatenated to form a token that is used for further processing of the packet. Alternatively, a bit vector is applied to results from the processing to form an input to a hash function, wherein an output of the hash function is a unique signature that identifies which of equal-cost multi-path routes the packet should take.

FIG. 2 illustrates another method 200 of the parser engine in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. At a step 205, layers of a packet are split based on protocol layers such that each of the protocol layers of the packet is separated.

At a step 210, information regarding a layer type of each of the protocol layers and an offset of where each of the protocol layers ends is maintained. The information regarding the layer type is stored in a first array (e.g., layerType[ ]). The information regarding the offsets is stored in a second array (e.g., layerEndPtr[ ]).

At a step 215, any of the protocol layers of the packet that has a size greater than a predetermined size is further split into a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is of the predetermined size. The predetermined size is software defined.

At a step 220, the information is updated based on the further split. Information regarding layer types of the first part and the second part is stored in sequential elements of the first array. Information regarding offsets of the first part and the second part is stored in sequential elements of the second array.

At a step 225, based on a determination that the second part has a size greater than the predetermine size, repeating the steps 215 and 220 with the second part; and

At a step 230, all of the split layers are processed. In some embodiments, prior to the step 230, each of the split layers is generalized to a generic format. In some embodiments, processing the split layers includes extracting data from the generalized layers.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method 300 of the network switch in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. At a step 305, a packet is parsed based on protocol layers. A first array (e.g., layerType[ ]) and a second array (e.g., layerEndPtr[ ]) are initialized according to the parsing. When the packet is parsed, a layer type of each layer in the packet is identified and stored in the first array, and an offset of where each layer ends in the packet is identified and stored in the second array. The first array and the second array are stored in the memory of the network switch.

At a step 310, each element of the first array is compared with a programmable register to determine whether a layer associated with the element needs to be split. The programmable register includes a layerType field, which indicates which a corresponding entry matches, a splitLength field, which indicates an offset at which a corresponding layer should be split at, and a newLayerType field, which indicates a layer type value of the new split layer. Typically, prior to the step 305, the layerType field, the splitLength field and the newLayerType field are programmed via software.

At a step 315, based on the determination that the layer associated with the element needs to be split, the layer is split.

At a step 320, the first array and the second array are updated according to the split.

At a step 325, data from a layer associated with each element of the first array is extracted. In some embodiments, the extracted data is joined to thereby form a final result. Alternatively, a bit vector is applied to results from logical AND operations, wherein each of the logical AND operations is applied on a bit mask and the extracted data from a layer.

The implementation relies on the assumption that the order of bytes output by the parser engine matches the order in which the bytes appear in an incoming layer to advantageously optimize the field selection circuit of the parser engine. Any layer that exceeds a predetermined size is split into smaller layers. The parser engine extracts data from the split layers just as it would from a non-split layer and, then, concatenates the extracted data in a final result.

One of ordinary skill in the art will realize other uses and advantages also exist. While the invention has been described with reference to numerous specific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A method of implementing a parser engine, the method comprising: splitting layers of a packet based on protocol layers such that each of the protocol layers of the packet is separated; further splitting each of the protocol layers of the packet that has a size greater than a predetermined size into a plurality of layers; and processing all of the split layers.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein splitting layers of a packet includes storing a layer type of each protocol layer of the packet in a first array and storing an offset of where each protocol layer of the packet ends in a second array.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein further splitting each of the layers of the packet includes updating the first array and the second array based on the further split.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein processing all split layers includes: generalizing each of the split layer to a generic format; and selecting contents from each of the generalized split layers.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein selecting contents from each of the generalized split layers includes applying at least one from a set of generic commands to the generalized split layer to thereby extract a field from the generalized split layer.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein each within the set of generic commands is agnostic of specific fields within protocol layers.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising concatenating results from the processing to form a token, wherein the token is used for further processing of the packet.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a bit vector to results from the processing to form an input to a hash function.
 9. A method of implementing a parser engine, the method comprising: splitting layers of a packet based on protocol layers such that each of the protocol layers of the packet is separated; maintaining information regarding a layer type of each of the protocol layers and an offset of where each of the protocol layers ends; further splitting any of the protocol layers of the packet that has a size greater than a predetermined size into a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is of the predetermined size; updating the information based on the further split; based on a determination that the second part has a size greater than the predetermine size, repeating the further splitting step and the updating step with the second part; and processing all of the split layers.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the information regarding the layer type is stored in a first array, and the information regarding the offsets is stored in a second array.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein updating the information includes: storing information regarding layer types of the first part and the second part in sequential elements of the first array; and storing information regarding offsets of the first part and the second part in sequential elements of the second array.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising, prior to maintaining information, software defining the predetermined size.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising, prior to processing, generalizing each of the split layers to a generic format.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein processing the split layers includes extracting data from the generalized layers.
 15. A method of implementing a network switch, the method comprising: parsing a packet based on protocol layers thereby initializing a first array and a second array; comparing each element of the first array with a programmable register to determine whether a layer associated with the element needs to be split; based on the determination that the layer associated with the element needs to be split, splitting the layer; updating the first array and the second array according to the split; and extracting data from a layer associated with each element of the first array.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein parsing a packet includes: identifying a layer type of each layer in the packet; storing the layer type of each layer in the first array; identifying an offset of where each layer ends in the packet; and storing the offset of where each layer ends in the second array.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the programmable register includes: a layerType field, which indicates which a corresponding entry matches; a splitLength field, which indicates an offset at which a corresponding layer should be split at; and a newLayerType field, which indicates a layer type value of the new split layer.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, prior to parsing a packet, programming the layerType field, the splitLength field and the newLayerType field via software.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising storing the first array and the second array in a memory of the network switch.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising joining the extracted data to thereby form a final result.
 21. The method of claim 15, further comprising applying a bit vector to results from logical AND operations, wherein each of the logical AND operations is applied on a bit mask and the extracted data from a layer.
 22. A network switch comprising: an input port and an output port for receiving and transmitting packets; a memory for storing a first array and a second array to keep track of split layers; and a parser engine for splitting a packet into protocol layers, for further splitting any of the protocol layers that exceeds a predetermined size into a plurality of layers, and for extracting data from all layers.
 23. The network switch of claim 22, wherein the predetermined size is software defined.
 24. The network switch of claim 22, wherein the parser engine further concatenates the extracted data to form a token, wherein the token is used for further processing of the packet.
 25. The network switch of claim 22, wherein the parser engine further: applies a logical AND operation on a bit mask and the extracted data for each layer; and applies a bit vector to results from the logical AND operations to form an input of a hash function.
 26. The network switch of claim 25, wherein an output of the hash function is a unique signature that identifies which of equal-cost multi-path routes the packet should take.
 27. A parser engine comprising a circuit configured to: split layers of a packet based on protocol layers such that each of the protocol layers of the packet is separated; further split each of the protocol layers of the packet that has a size greater than a predetermined size into a plurality of layers; and process all of the split layers.
 28. The parser engine of claim 27, wherein information regarding a layer type of each of the protocol layers and an offset of where each of the protocol layers ends is maintained.
 29. The parser engine of claim 28, wherein the information is updated after further splitting each of the protocol layers of the packet that has a size greater than a predetermined size into a plurality of layers.
 30. The parser engine of claim 27, wherein the circuit is also configured to concatenate results from the processing to form a token, wherein the token is used for further processing of the packet.
 31. The parser engine of claim 27, wherein the circuit is also configured to apply a bit vector to results from the processing to form an input to a hash function. 